February Confessions

I don't know what it's like where you live, but this month in Pennsylvania has sort of been torture if you are a lover of summer, like me.  We have had soooo much snow, ice and cold temperatures. The "Polar Vortex" (that phrase makes me want to barf) that keeps visiting can just get lost. I love a good snow storm, but after this winter, I am definitely more than ready for spring.  Do you guys agree? Here's what I read this snowy February:

Books Read in February:
1. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg - 4.5 out of 5 stars
2. Under a Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen - 4 out of 5 stars
3.  My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak - 3.5 out of 5 stars
4.  Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck - 4 out of 5 stars
5.  City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn - 3.5 out of 5 stars
6.  The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2) - 5 out of 5 stars (Review to come)
7.  The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come)
Didn't Finish: The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry

1.  Favorite Book: The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2) by Rae Carson- I am loving this fantasy series and The Crown of Embers, even though it was the second book in the series, was awesome and didn't disappoint. There's no sophomore slump here.

2.  Biggest Surprise: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg - I absolutely loved this book. I knew I would enjoy it (love Elizabeth Eulberg) but this one really hit a home run for me. It had me getting all nostalgic for Pacey and Joey. *sigh*

3.  Biggest Dissapointment: I enjoyed City of Jasmine, but I was hoping for a little more romance in this book.

4.  Favorite Post: Books That Will Make You Swoon  - I mean who doesn't love a good swoon worthy read, especially around Valentine's Day?

5.  Favorite Part of February: My favorite part of this month was spending Valentine's Day with favorite people, but I'm not going to lie. February is my least favorite month and I am so glad it's over. Now spring better bring it! I'm ready!

My Latest Obsession: Citrus Lane

So, I don't normally write about things other than books, except for the occasional TV show, but I thought I would share my experiences with Citrus Lane.  

Citrus Lane is a subscription box for children ages newborn to five years. There are 4-5 products in each box catered to the gender and the age of your child.  I originally signed up with a 50% off my first box coupon just to check it out. (If you want 50% off your first box as well, check out the coupon here).  After we received our first box a few months ago, we were hooked!

I then signed up for a few more months to give us something exciting to look forward to during those cold winter days. Dylan, my 18 month old son, loves receiving these packages and opening gifts, so it was especially exciting for him when he spotted the package on our doorstep. 

Each box includes a write-up on every product and sometimes includes coupon codes/discounts for other products. Plus, the items in the box are of really high quality and sometimes they include something fun for mom, too!  

Here's what was in our latest box:

1.  Boon Dive Bath Appliques - Dylan loves these! They are colorful and fun; plus, they stick to the walls of the tub.  What I like is that they are BPA free, etc, and don't retain water, so that means no mold or mildew.  

2.  Starlight Sailor by James Mayhew - This is the second time we have received a book through Citrus Lane and both books have been a hit.  The illustrations are fantastic and this one is so imaginative.

3.  Ooga Bowl - This is one silicone bowl that Dylan can't break and it's microwave safe, dishwasher safe, freezer safe and even oven safe! We've already used it once during snack time and it was a success! 

4. Green Apple Age Defy Hand Cream from Juice Beauty - A nice surprise for mom and much needed this winter.  I like that it is organic, paraben free and made without other harsh chemicals.

So, if are intrigued by Citrus Lane as well, check it out for a month at 50% off your first box.  Here is the link to the coupon.  I highly recommend it!  

Have you tried Citrus Lane or any other subscription boxes? They seem to be all the rage right now. Which ones do you recommend? 

Waiting on Wednesday: Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

Pub. Date: May 13, 2014

Goodreads says, "Summer, boys, and friendships gone sour. This new series has everything that perfect beach reads are made of! Gemma just got dumped and is devastated. She finds herself back in the Hamptons for the summer—which puts her at risk of bumping into Hallie, her former best friend that she wronged five years earlier. Do people hold grudges that long?  When a small case of mistaken identity causes everyone, including Hallie and her dreamy brother Josh, to think she’s someone else, Gemma decides to go along with it. Gemma's plan is working (she's finding it hard to resist Josh), but she's finding herself in embarrassing situations (how could a bathing suit fall apart like that!?). Is it coincidence or is someone trying to expose her true identity? And how will Josh react if he finds out who she is?  Katie Finn hits all the right notes in this perfect beginning to a new summer series: A Broken Hearts & Revenge novel."

Ok, so when I read, ""Summer, boys, and friendships gone sour. This new series has everything that perfect beach reads are made of!" in the synopsis, I knew this books was for me. Plus, I heard that Katie Finn is really Morgan Matson, one of my favorite YA authors (Second Chance Summer and Amy & Roger's Epic Detour). What do you guys think? 

Book Review and Giveaway: Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck

Pages: 384

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: March 4, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Upstate New York, 1928. Laura Kelley and the man she loves sneak away from their judgmental town to attend a performance of the scandalous Ziegfeld Follies. But the dark consequences of their night of daring and delight reach far into the future.… That same evening, Bohemian poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and her indulgent husband hold a wild party in their remote mountain estate, hoping to inspire her muse. Millay declares her wish for a new lover who will take her to unparalleled heights of passion and poetry, but for the first time, the man who responds will not bend completely to her will.… Two years later, Laura, an unwed seamstress struggling to support her daughter, and Millay, a woman fighting the passage of time, work together secretly to create costumes for Millay’s next grand tour. As their complex, often uneasy friendship develops amid growing local condemnation, each woman is forced to confront what it means to be a fallen woman…and to decide for herself what price she is willing to pay to live a full life."

The year is 1928 and Laura Kelley wants more for her life than just working at  her father's store in their sleepy little town.  She and her secret lover head to the Ziegfeld Follies for a scandalous night of drinking, dancing, and having fun.  If her father knew what she was really up to, he would be furious.  The most exciting night of Laura's life ends up becoming one that holds a huge consequence.  That very same night and not far away, Edna St. Vincent Millay is trying to finish her collection of poems and is having her usual wild night of drinking, poetry, and debauchery, except this time, Millay isn't getting what she wants.  A few years past and Laura finds herself in a tough predicament as she is a single mother barely surviving in a town that shuns her. There are many parallels between Millay and Laura as the townspeople don't approve of Millay's cavalier lifestyle; however, she is rich and wants to help Laura.  Laura is a talented seamstress and Millay wants her to create all of her outfits for her new book tour. Doing so would bring financial security to Laura, which she desperately needs, but she would also be going against the community and her beloved sister if she takes Millay on as a client.  Both women must deal with being nonconformists in a town that doesn't appreciate them and navigate through the ups and downs of life as "fallen" women.  Erika Robuck's Fallen Beauty is a well written historical tale  that truly brings to life the fascinating person that is Edna St. Vincent Millay.

I immediately connected with Laura. Although I didn't always agree with her decisions, Robuck wrote her in such a way that I felt for her and was rooting for from the start. It's not easy to being a single mother, especially one that is shunned by her community, so I really wanted her to succeed in Fallen Beauty.  Laura had big dreams which involved pursuing her passion of design, but it all changed that one fateful night with her "lover." Throughout the book, readers are trying to figure out the identity of her "lover" and ultimately, the father of her child, so this was a mystery that kept me flipping pages.  

Laura and Millay form an unlikely friendship and it was interesting to sort of examine how they are actually similar in their circumstances in that they both are "fallen" and are outsiders.  I liked how Robuck created the fictional character of Laura to sort of balance the story of Millay; it was interesting to see how both characters' stories eventually become entwined in Fallen Beauty.

Simply put, Millay is awesome and Robuck definitely captured her brilliance in Fallen Beauty. She was before her time, a true feminist, so very talented, but also impulsive, destructive and the very definition of a tortured artist. I love reading about the eccentric talent, such as the subjects of Robuck's other books  (Ernest Hemingway and Zelda Fitzgerald).  The most brilliant of people are always this way it seems, which makes for such a captivating tale.

If you are a fan of Millay or learning more about eccentric literary sensations, then I encourage you to check out Robuck's Fallen Beauty. I thoroughly enjoyed it!  

Thanks to Penguin, I am hosting a giveaway for one copy of Fallen Beauty to one lucky US reader.  Good luck and please refer to my giveaway rules. The giveaway is over on March 8th.  Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour for Fallen Beauty, plus read more reviews, and enter giveaways for additional chances to win a copy for yourself! Here's are a few of the upcoming stops:

February 26 Literate Housewife

                       LitChat

February 27 Anita Loves Books

                       To Read or Not To Read 

                       Kayla's Reads and Reviews

February 28 Silver's Reviews

                       A Novel Review

                The Write Teacher(s)

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Book Review: My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

Pages: 368

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: March 1, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Sixteen-year-old Jackie Howard is devastated when her parents are killed in a car accident. She has no one to turn to except for her mom's best friend Katherine Walter. Jackie quickly discovers that Katherine is no stranger to being a mom-she's got twelve boys! And every single one is a handful… Adjusting to life with the Walter boys is not going to be easy, especially when two of them start to show an interest that definitely goes beyond brotherly."

Jackie was living the perfect life in New York City. She had a wealthy and successful father, a loving mother, and a sister that she looked up to.  Her life changed forever when her family got into a car accident and she's the only survivor.  Jackie is sent to live with her mother's best friend from boarding school, Katherine Walter.  Jackie has to get used to living on a ranch in Colorado; plus, the kicker is the fact that Katherine has eleven sons and one daughter (who's pretty much a boy!)  How can Jackie adjust to her new life living in a chaotic home with enough boys to make a basketball team? It also doesn't help that Jackie is a bit uptight, whereas the Walter boys are polar opposites.  Will she ever feel like she's part of the family and truly feel at home?  Ali Novak's  My Life with the Walter Boys is a light read that fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy.

How could you not feel for Jackie in My Life with the Walter Boys? She's trying to move on from her family's horrible tragedy and she is thrusted into the extremely busy and disorderly Walter household.  She finds herself gravitating towards Nathan, the musical son, who has been pretty nice to her.  She is hoping she can find a real friend in him.  There's also nerdy Alex, whom she finds herself spending more and more time with and might they have more than a friendship brewing? Lastly, there's bad boy, Cole.  Cole is the most popular guy at school, extremely good looking, and charming…when he wants to be.  Jackie knows that Cole shouldn't be the guy for her, but she can't deny her attraction.  This makes for life in the Walter household extremely interesting.

The whole love triangle with brothers reminded me a bit of The Boys Next Door, which is why I think My Life with the Walter Boys would make for a great summer read.  I am not a big fan of love triangles except when they are done very well, so this part of the novel sort of irritated me.  I mean Cole was hot, yes, but he was also arrogant and tried to sabotage things for Jackie. He infuriated me instead of inspiring me to swoon.  So, unfortunately, I wasn't feeling Cole. 

What I do find pretty great about My Life with the Walter Boys is the fact that Novak originally wrote it at fifteen and posted it on Wattpad. That's pretty impressive and I give her a lot of credit.  I'm sure it has been edited tremendously since then; however, at times, her young age sort of shows in her writing, if that makes sense.  Various parts of the novel and some of the dialogue felt really young to me, so a younger YA reader might enjoy this novel and appreciate that aspect a bit more than me.

My Life with the Walter Boys didn't blow me away by any means, but it was fun, light, and would be great to read on a hot summer day. You know when you read a book and you were thinking, well, that was fun once you've read the last page? That was My Life with the Walter Boys for me….pure fun. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Novak's work in the future.

Stacking the Shelves and Giveaway Winner (39)

  

Sweet Reckoning (Sweet #3) by Wendy Higgins - Thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss

The Taking by Kimberly Derting - Thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss

On the Fence by Kasie West - Thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss
Tempting Fate by Jane Green - Thanks to St. Martin's
Alaska's Dog Heroes by Shelley Gill - Thanks to Sasquatch Books (My little guy can't wait to read this!)

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

Sweet Peril (Sweet #2) by Wendy Higgins

Congrats to Megan C. who won a copy of The Curl Up and Dye by Sharon Sala. I hope you enjoy it and thanks to Sourcebooks for allowing me to host the giveaway.

So what do you guys think? Have you read any of these books? Let me know! This meme is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews. 

Book Review: City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 25, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Set against the lush, exotic European colonial outposts of the 1920s, New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn delivers the captivating tale of one woman who embarks upon a journey to see the world—and ends up finding intrigue, danger and a love beyond all reason.  Famed aviatrix Evangeline Starke never expected to see her husband, adventurer Gabriel Starke, ever again. They had been a golden couple, enjoying a whirlwind courtship amid the backdrop of a glittering social set in prewar London until his sudden death with the sinking of the Lusitania. Five years later, beginning to embrace life again, Evie embarks upon a flight around the world, collecting fame and admirers along the way. In the midst of her triumphant tour, she is shocked to receive a mysterious—and recent—photograph of Gabriel, which brings her ambitious stunt to a screeching halt.  With her eccentric aunt Dove in tow, Evie tracks the source of the photo to the ancient City of Jasmine, Damascus. There she discovers that nothing is as it seems. Danger lurks at every turn, and at stake is a priceless relic, an artifact once lost to time and so valuable that criminals will stop at nothing to acquire it—even murder. Leaving the jewelled city behind, Evie sets off across the punishing sands of the desert to unearth the truth of Gabriel's disappearance and retrieve a relic straight from the pages of history.  Along the way, Evie must come to terms with the deception that parted her from Gabriel and the passion that will change her destiny forever…"

Evangeline "Evie" Starke thought her husband, Gabriel, had died aboard the Lusitania.  What everyone doesn't know is that they were about to get a divorce, but obviously after the tragedy, they never had the chance. Evie didn't just keel over and become depressed, she picked herself up and moved on.  She learned how to fly planes and ended up becoming a famed aviatrix flying around the world with her Aunt Dove in tow.  Five years later she is now famous and has many fans, but something rocks her to the core.  She receives a mysterious photograph of Gabriel and it's not just any photo; it has been taken recently in Damascus.  How could that be? She thought he was dead? Along with her aunt, they head to Damascus to figure out what exactly is going on and if Gabriel is actually alive. She finds herself in the middle of a "war" between many people over a priceless artifact that it seems everyone wants. What she is surprised to find is the fact that Gabriel is in the thick of the struggle for "the Cross."  Raybourn sends readers on a whirlwind adventure to Damascus in the 20s; it's such a captivating setting and a fun adventure.  Fans of Raybourn won't be disappointed in City of Jasmine.  

Evie is such an entertaining heroine in City of Jasmine. She flies planes, she's spirited, and she is unconventional.  I loved following along in her adventure to Damascus.  Evie is an independent woman, which is a rarity in the 20s, so I knew this story would be an exciting adventure.  I also really enjoyed the secondary character of her Aunt Dove.  She was glamorous, charismatic and she, like Evie, was very independent and marched to her own beat.

Evie's relationship with Gabriel wasn't as "romantic" as I was hoping for in City of Jasmine and what I mean by that is they had a love/hate relationship.  What I thought was going to be a romantic read was more of an adventure/mystery with touches of romance here and there.  I don't blame Evie though, because she thought Gabriel was dead, so she wasn't going to just fall right back into his arms until she figured out exactly what he was up to.  I was just as surprised as Evie to "find" Gabriel in Damascus and immediately wanted to understand why he faked his death. Raybourn slowly shares his secrets, which was definitely one of the most interesting things about City of Jasmine.  Things definitely aren't what they seem with not only Gabriel but the other people in Damascus who, along with Gabriel, are looking for ancient artifacts.

Gabriel and Evie's relationship reminded me a bit of the love interests and witty banter in the Indiana Jones movies as well as the oldie but goodie, Romancing the Stone.  Evie and Gabriel knew they had to work together despite their differences, they obviously still had feelings for each other, but they drove each other crazy at times.  So, yes, there was some romance in City of Jasmine, but not right off the bat.  Being a romance fan, I wish there had been just a little bit more.

Like I said, Raybourn's novels remind me so much of the adventures in Indiana Jones and I know I have said this before when I read A Spear of Summer Grass. I love that aspect of her novels.  It isn't just about romance and a beautiful setting, it's also about adventure and mystery.  So, if that is your thing, I encourage you to pick up City of Jasmine this winter. If anything, it was a nice way to escape the snow and cold and be swept away by the captivating and magical world of Damascus in the 1920s.

Waiting on Wednesday: Suspicion

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Pub. Date: December 8, 2014

Goodreads says, "Mysterious. Magnificent. Creepy. Welcome to Rockford Manor. "There's something hidden in the Maze." Seventeen-year-old Imogen has never forgotten the last words her father said to her seven years ago, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family's English country manor. Haunted by her parents' deaths, Imogen moves to New York City with her new guardians. But when a letter arrives with the news of her cousin's untimely death, revealing that Imogen is now the only heir left to run the estate, she returns to England and warily accepts her role as duchess. All is not as it seems at Rockford, and Imogen quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind the mansion's aristocratic exterior, hinting that the spate of deaths in her family were no accident. And at the center of the mystery is Imogen herself--and Sebastian, the childhood friend she has secretly loved for years. Just what has Imogen walked into? Combining a spine-tingling mystery, powerful romance, and unforgettable characters, SUSPICION is an action-packed thrill ride."

I love the sound of this one! Anytime an author can combine mystery, historical fiction, and romance, I am all about it!  Plus, I love Monir's Timeless…one of my faves!  What do you guys think?

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons I Love Being a Reader and Blogger

This week I am sharing my top ten reasons I love being a blogger and a reader. This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, so check it out! 

1.  Libraries and bookstores are my favorite places ever.  Only a reader understands how exciting it is to find a really great library or an awesome indie bookstore.

2.  I love encouraging people to read and recommending great books to them.  The best is when they love a book I recommend. 

3.  If you are a serious reader, like me, then certain books become very important to you.  I love my "favorites" bookshelf and certain signed books. It's all very Gollum with his "precious."

4.  Books are never ending. There will always be new books published and older books that I want to check out.  It's not like some video game or TV show where it ends and that's that.  There will always be new books to devour.

5.  Is there anything better than enjoying a good book outside on a gorgeous day? I think not!

6.  Books take you places.  As George R.R. Martin said, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies...The man who never reads lives only one.'

7.  Books can be like therapy. They can make you laugh, cry, and help you through the tough times in your life.   

8.  When I read a book that I think is awesome, I am able to get my fangirl on with all of my fellow book lovers and you don't think I am crazy.

9.  Being a book blogger is awesome in that I am able to connect with other book nerds, authors, publishers, etc. It has opened a whole new world for me and for that, I am grateful.

10.  My last reason: YOU GUYS--the people that read this blog.  I love receiving comments and connecting with other people about books. It means the world to me. 

So, what did you guys think of my list? Let me know!

Book Review: Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen

Pages: 408

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: January 21, 2014

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "London 1957. In a bid to erase her past and build the family she yearns for, Sophie Schofield accepts a wedding proposal from ambitious British diplomat, Lucien Grainger. When he is posted to New Delhi, into the glittering circle of ex-pat high society, old wounds begin to break open as she is confronted with the memory of her first, forbidden love and its devastating consequences.  The suffocating conformity of diplomatic life soon closes in on her. This is not the India she fell in love with ten years before when her father was a maharaja’s physician, the India of tigers and scorpions and palaces afloat on shimmering lakes; the India that ripped out her heart as Partition tore the country in two, separating her from her one true love. The past haunts her still, the guilt of her actions, the destruction it wreaked upon her fragile parents, and the boy with the tourmaline eyes.  Sophie had never meant to come back, yet the moment she stepped onto India’s burning soil as a newlywed wife, she realised her return was inevitable. And so begins the unravelling of an ill-fated marriage, setting in motion a devastating chain of events that will bring her face to face with a past she tried so desperately to forget, and a future she must fight for.  A story of love, loss of innocence, and the aftermath of a terrible decision no one knew how to avoid." 

18 year old Sophie moves to India in 1947 along with her physician father and her perpetually angry mother, Veronica.  Sophie's father has accepted a position as personal doctor to the Maharaja, so Sophie is thrusted into the unknown world of India and the Maharaja’s opulent palace.  The problem is there isn't much for her to do there. There are no other girls her age, so she finds herself wandering about the palace.  While wandering, she meets Jag, who is her age, and the son of a palace servant. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but because it is the 40s in India, their friendship is one that wouldn't be encouraged from both sides. They shouldn't even talk to each other, let alone become friends.  Nonetheless, Jag shows her the many hidden passageways in the palace and the beautiful gardens. As they spend more time together in secret, feelings blossom on both sides and a romance ensues.  Of course, their parents find out and are horrified. Jag is sent away and Sophie fears she will never see him again.  Fast forward many years later and Sophie is returning to India once again, but this time as a wife to a British diplomat.  She wonders if she can ever truly forget her first love and being back in India makes it all that much harder.  Alison McQueen's tender tale of first love, forbidden love and secrets is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. Fans of historical fiction and romance will love to be swept away by Under the Jeweled Sky; it's an extremely romantic, yet heartbreaking tale.

Readers get to know Sophie through a series of present day narratives as well as flashbacks to India in the 1940s.  As more of Sophie's background unfolded, I enjoyed her character more and more. She's complex, been through a lot, and holds a very important secret.  One would think that Sophie has had an easy life since she is the daughter of a physician and now going to live in India with servants and in a beautiful home, but that isn't the case. Simply put, her mother is vile. Seriously. I loathed her and although I recognized she had her own demons she was dealing with, she made Sophie's life horrible.  I really felt for Sophie and what she had to go through as a teenager. Then to make matter worse, her married life wasn't that much better in Under the Jeweled Sky.

I also liked learning more about Jag and his backstory in Under the Jeweled Sky.  Before reading this novel, I don't know much about India's past and learning more about it through Jag and his journey was very interesting.  The palace, the Maharaja, the way they lived and the politics made for a very fascinating setting. I think McQueen did a great job of capturing both sides of Sophie and Jag's story as well as the innocence that surrounds first love and how politics and families can easily destroy it.

McQueen surprises readers with little tidbits of information that we can slowly piece together. I know many readers may have a hard time with the narrative jumping from various points in the past to the present as well as different point of views, but I actually preferred that technique for Under the Jeweled Sky.  When readers finally get to the climax, it's heartbreaking; however, you get to see the full picture of this tragic story.

If you are looking for a beautiful read that will tug on your heartstrings, is historical and is set in a fascinating time and place, then I recommend Under the Jeweled Sky.  But be forewarned, make sure you have a box of tissues handy!